Celebrity Roll of Honor

[Panzermacher]

Folks, I have decided to do a Celebrity Roll of Honor. This Roll will contain Famous People who served in World War Two, from Actors to Politicians and all others in between. I will Post a new one at least once a Month, or as I find one who served in a Topic being Discussed on the forum. Or...if you got one you want to add, feel free to add. Many people don't realize how many Famous People from our era served in the "Big One"

[Panzermacher]

THIS MONTH'S FAMOUS PERSON AND VETERAN IS:
Daniel K.Inouye
US Senator Hawaii
US ARMY -Medal of Honor







Inouye served with the 442nd "Go For Broke" Regimental Combat Team, consisting largely of Soldiers with Japanese ancestry, during World War II. The unit earned the distinction of being the most highly decorated unit of its size and length of active service in U.S. military history.
Inouye lost his right hand in an April 21, 1945 battle near San Terenzo, Italy, during which he led his platoon to capture a key ridge. Originally awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions that day, it was upgraded to the Medal of Honor and presented to him by the president in 2000. His award citation describes Inouye crawling up a dangerous slope to lob two grenades at an enemy machine gun, destroying it, and then taking out a second gun nest. He was shot, but continued to fight until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Inouye refused to be evacuated until his platoon was in control of the area, the citation said.

After the war, Inouye graduated from the University of Hawaii and the George Washington University Law School, working as a deputy public prosecutor in Honolulu before getting into politics in 1954. He was the first congressman elected from Hawaii after it became a state and has served in the Senate for seven consecutive terms.

[cyberia]

Very good idea PM. Looking forward to more!

[Jim O]

Great idea! And great lead. I remember Senator Inouye from the Watergate hearings in the 1970's, and my father telling me about his war injury.

I'll add one myself. Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams served in the Marines during World War II and Korea. He lost about five years from his career in so doing. His service in World War II was mostly as a flight instructor (F4U Corsair) at NAS Pensacola, but in Korea he flew 38 missions on the F9F Panther and was awarded the Air Medal.

Ted Williams being sworn into the military on May 22, 1942.

[cyberia]

Col. Jimmy Stewart being awarded the Croix de guerre with palm by Lt. Gen. Henri Valin, Chief of Staff of the French Air Force, for his role in the liberation of France. USAF photo.

Jimmy Stewart enlisted in the Army in March 1941. He became the first major American movie star to wear a military uniform in World War II.

Since the United States had not entered the conflict and due to the Army's unwillingness to put celebrities on the front, Stewart was initially held back from combat duty, although he enlisted as a private, he earned a commission as a Second Lieutenant and completed pilot training. He was subsequently stationed in Albuquerque, NM, becoming an instructor pilot for the B-17 Flying Fortress.

"Still, the war was moving on. For the thirty-six-year-old Stewart, combat duty seemed far away and unreachable and he had no clear plans for the future. But then a rumor that Stewart would be taken off flying status and assigned to making training films or selling bonds called for his immediate and decisive action, because what he dreaded most was the hope-shattering spector of a dead end." So he appealed to his commander, a pre-war aviator, who understood the situation and reassigned him to a unit going overseas.

In August 1943 he was finally assigned to the 445th Bombardment Group in Sioux City, Iowa, first as Operations Officer of the 703rd Bombardment Squadron and then its commander. In December, the 445th Bombardment Group flew its B-24 Liberator bombers to RAF Tibenham, England and immediately began combat operations. While flying missions over Germany, Stewart was promoted to Major. In March 1944, he was transferred as group operations officer to the 453rd Bombardment Group, a new B-24 unit that had been experiencing difficulties. As a means to inspire his new group, Stewart flew as command pilot in the lead B-24 on numerous missions deep into Nazi-occupied Europe. These missions went uncounted at Stewart's orders. His "official" total is listed as 20 and are limited to those with the 445th. In 1944, he twice received the Distinguished Flying Cross for actions in combat and was awarded the Croix de Guerre. He also received the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters. In July 1944, after flying 20 combat missions, Stewart was made chief of staff of the 2nd Combat Bombardment Wing of the Eighth Air Force. Before the war ended, he was promoted to colonel, one of only a few Americans to rise from private to colonel in four years.

Stewart continued to play an active role in the United States Air Force Reserve after the war, achieving the rank of Brigadier General on 23 July 1959. Stewart retired from the Air Force on 31 May 1968.

[Panzermacher]

Nice Finds guys!

Here's my Celeb for this month....You may Know him as McHale...from the Movies and the TV series.....


He was born Ermes Effron Borgnine on January 24, 1917 in Hamden, Connecticut. His parents were Charles and Anna Borgnine, who immigrated from Carpi, a small town in Northern Italy at the turn of the century. As a child, Borgnine enjoyed watching sports, especially boxing, but acting did not interest him.

In 1935, following his graduation from high school, Borgnine was uncertain about his future and he entered the Navy. He stayed in the Navy for ten years and returned home in 1945 still undecided about a career. After toiling at a few jobs at local factories, his mother suggested that he try acting since he had such a forceful personality. He took her advice seriously and promptly enrolled at the Randall School of Drama in Hartford.


Here is a Excert from a US Navy publication...
Ernest Borgnine Hails Navy Sailors

3/10/2004

By Journalist 2nd Class Kimberly Rodgers, Navy News Service

WASHINGTON (NNS) -- Academy award-winning actor Ernest Borgnine spent time with Sailors March 9 at the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C. During the visit, Borgnine shared with Sailors the influence the Navy has had on his life.



After 10 years of naval service during World War II, Borgnine, 87, said he became more responsible.



"Being here brought back so many memories," he reminisced, often overcome with emotion. "The idea of being a part of something so enormous taught me how to be a man. It gave me something to prove to myself--and to my country. I'd like to be able to do it all over again."



Borgnine, who joined the Navy in 1935, served on the now-decommisioned USS Lamberton (DD 119), reaching the rank of Chief Gunner's Mate, and went on to land the lead role in the popular television series "McHale's Navy." With more than 150 films to his credit, Borgnine received the Academy Award for Best Actor for his role in the hit movie "Marty" in 1955.



"Being in his company was amazing," said Seaman Jordan Logan of U.S. Ceremonial Guard Command, Washington. "Just coming into the Navy, you get lots of advice. It always makes a difference when the advice comes from someone who's actually worn the uniform--and went on to do great things."



"I've seen so many of his movies," said Personnelman 2nd Class Jocelyn Smith of Naval Air Facility, Washington. "This is like a dream come true. He's a real class act. You get the feeling he really cares about our service."



A teary-eyed Borgnine concluded the session by saying to Sailors, "You're serving a great country. Always, always do your best."



For more news from around the fleet, visit the Navy NewsStand at The U.S. Navy.

[Panzermacher]

April's Celebrity is the Man who's music was the sound of the War. A man's whose orchestra was heard from the Aleutians, to Tunisia, to the South Atlantic, and everywhere in between. His Music Epitomized the "Greatest Generation" and is still popular today. Glenn Miller, Major, USA.
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Alton Glenn Miller

Young Glenn Miller Shortly after the beginning of the 20th century, in a small rural Southwestern Iowa town, a boy was born to Elmer and Mattie Lou Miller. The date was March 1, 1904 and the town was Clarinda. The boy that was born that night was named Alton Glen Miller (later changed to Glenn) and when he uttered his first cry, Clarinda heard Glenn Miller’s first "moonlight serenade." Glenn’s first serenade was not particularly unique as it had been sung by children for centuries and was barely heard across South 16th Street. However, his second Moonlight Serenade was a composition he wrote while studying music under Dr. Schillinger in New York City. Glenn’s second Moonlight Serenade was unique, becoming the theme song of his number one Big Band and heard literally all around the world.

Glenn’s grandparents were a part of the westward movement of people during the 1800's and moved to the Clarinda area around 1870. During their stay in Southwest Iowa, their son Elmer married Mattie Lou Cavender and before this young couple left Clarinda, their first son, Dean, was born; followed by a second son, Alton Glenn Miller, on March 1, 1904.

In hopes of a brighter future, the young couple decided to homestead and moved on west in 1907 to Tryon, Nebraska where they lived in a sod house. In the evenings, Glenn’s mother, Mattie Lou, would play a simple pump organ which helped ease the lonesome existence on the flatlands of Nebraska. If you think it is a long lonely drive across Nebraska today, you can imagine what it was like to be there in 1907. Mattie Lou started a school called Happy Hollow and her children would sing songs as they rode in a wagon on their way to school. The soothing music of his mother in their sod house and the uplifting songs on the way to school must have given Glenn a greater meaning and appreciation for music. Before leaving the sod house, Mattie Lou gave birth to a third son, Herb, in 1913.

In 1915, Glenn’s family moved to Grant City, Missouri where he went to grade school, worked for the town bandsman John Mosbarger, was given his first trombone and then played in the town band.

In 1918, Glenn’s family, including an infant daughter, Irene, moved again to Fort Morgan, Colorado where Glenn went to high school. During his senior year, Glenn decided to try the game of football, and by the end of the season, he was chosen by the Colorado High School Sports Association as "the best left end in Colorado." Football wasn’t Glenn’s only interest, however, as he had become very interested in a new sound called dance band music. Glenn enjoyed this music so much that he and some classmates decided to start their own band. In fact, Glenn was so excited about this new music that when it came time for his graduation in 1921, he decided to skip his graduation ceremonies and instead traveled to Laramie, Wyoming to play in a band. Meanwhile, back home, Glenn’s mother had to accept his diploma and the principal commented, "Maybe you’re the one who should get it anyway; you probably worked harder on it than he did!"

Bandleader Glenn Miller By now, Glenn had made the decision that he was going to be a professional musician. His first professional contract was signed with a Dixieland group called Senter’s Sentapeeds. To most people it sounds like something you would step on rather than listen to. Then another opportunity opened up where Glenn could play in the Holly Moyer Orchestra in Boulder and earn enough money to attend the University of Colorado. This lasted for two years, but in 1924, Glenn’s musical ambition, and a new job with the Tommy Watkins Orchestra, caused him to discontinue his college education so that he could spend full time playing and arranging music. Glenn eventually headed for Los Angeles, where he had heard there were numerous band opportunities. He soon got the chance to join the Ben Pollack Orchestra, a band noted for finding talented musicians. While playing with Pollack’s band, Glenn roomed with another rising star, a clarinetist from Chicago named Benny Goodman.

In 1928, after working in Los Angeles and Chicago, Glenn moved on to New York City where he worked with bands of Ben Pollack, Red Nichols and Paul Ash as a trombonist and arranger. In 1932, Glenn organized the Smith Ballew Band, and worked two years as manager, arranger and trombonist. In 1934, he helped the Dorsey brothers to organize their first full-time Big Band and in 1935, he organized Ray Noble’s American band.

Finally, in 1937, Glenn decided to fulfill his dream and organize his own band. This first band soon ran into financial difficulties and had to disband, but Glenn was not one to give up and he tried again in 1938. This time was different, and in March of 1939, his band was chosen to play the summer season at the prestigious Glen Island Casino, in New Rochelle, New York. This big break led to another important engagement at Meadowbrook, New Jersey in the spring of the same year. Both places offered frequent radio broadcasts, and by mid-summer, the Miller Orchestra had developed a nationwide following. In the fall of 1939, it began a series of radio broadcasts for Chesterfield cigarettes which increased its already great popularity. Thereafter, the band was in constant demand for recording sessions and appeared in two films; Sun Valley Serenade in 1941 and Orchestra Wives in 1942.

Major Glenn Miller In 1942, at the peak of his civilian career, Glenn decided he could better serve those in uniform by putting one on himself. By doing this, the band gave up a $20,000 weekly income. Too old to be drafted at age 38, Glenn first volunteered for the Navy but was told that they didn’t need his services. Not giving up, Glenn wrote to the Army’s Brigadier General Charles Young on August 12, 1942. Miller persuaded the Army to accept him so he could in his own words, "put a little more spring into the feet of our marching men and a little more joy into their hearts and to be placed in charge of a modernized army band." After being accepted in the Army, Glenn’s civilian band played their last concert in Passaic, New Jersey on September 27th, 1942. It was such a sad event that the band couldn’t finish playing the closing theme song, Moonlight Serenade.

Glenn soon became part of the Army Specialists Corps with the rank of captain. For the next year and a half, besides arranging music, Glenn created and directed his own 50-member band. Captain Miller’s mission was morale building, bringing a touch of home to the troops and modernizing military music. Glenn was also a talented fund raiser, and raised millions of dollars in war bond drives. He also attracted Air Corps recruits through his I Sustain the Wings weekly radio broadcasts.

Still wanting to do more, Glenn arranged for overseas duty for the band. Arriving in London, the band was quartered at 25 Sloane Street, an area in constant barrage by German V-1 buzz bombs. Glenn was immediately concerned for the band and made arrangements for the unit to move to new quarters in Bedford, England. The band moved on July 2, 1944, and the very next day a buzz bomb landed in front of their old quarters, destroying the building and killing 100 people. The Glenn Miller Army Air Force Band was extremely busy and Glenn wrote home that in one month they played at 35 different bases, while performing 40 radio broadcasts in their spare time.

Finally, on December 15, 1944, Glenn boarded a single engine C-64 Norseman aircraft to travel to Paris, France where he was to make arrangements for a Christmas broadcast. Tragically, the plane never reached France and was never found. The band, without Miller, performed the scheduled Christmas concert under the direction of Jerry Gray and continued to perform, playing their last concert on November 13, 1945 at the National Press Club dinner for President Truman in Washington, D.C. At that time, General Dwight Eisenhower and General Hap Arnold thanked the band for a job well done.

Glenn Miller will be remembered for many things; his musical style, showmanship, hard work, perseverance, and much more. But his patriotism in giving up his number one civilian band to enlist in the United States Army Air Corps, his pioneering efforts to modernize military bands and his supreme sacrifice for his country have caused him to be remembered as Clarinda’s and America’s favorite musical patriot.

Glenn Miller’s life cannot easily be summed up in a few words. He put more in his short life of 40 years than most people do in a longer lifetime.











Here is a Article from the Arlinton National Cemetary Website on Major Miller's death
Glenn Miller killed by friendly fire, paper says
Big-band leader disappeared in 1944

It has been one of the most enduring ysteries of entertainment history.

On the night of December 15, 1944, U.S. big-band leader Glenn Miller, the hottest pop star of the wartime era, left an airbase in southeast England to entertain U.S. soldiers in Paris.

Within minutes, his plane had disappeared in fog and Mr. Miller was never seen again.

Wild theories about his demise sprang up -- from his torture and death at the hands of the Nazis to the less respectful rumour that he had died in the arms of a Paris prostitute and it had all been hushed up.

But a documentary to be shown on British television claims to have unravelled the mystery: Mr. Miller was a victim of friendly fire, a hail of British bombs blowing his tiny single-engined Noorduyn Norseman plane out of the sky, the Guardian newspaper reports today. Documentary-makers believe that a fleet of 139 Lancaster bombers returning on the fateful night from an abortive mission over Nazi Germany dumped their payload into the English Channel -- and right on to Mr. Miller's plane.

In a recently uncovered amateur film interview, Fred Shaw, a navigator on one of the
Lancasters, said he saw the bombs hit a small plane beneath him, the paper said.

"I had never seen a bombing before so I crawled from my navigator seat and put my head in the observation blister. I saw a small high-wing monoplane, a Noorduyn Norseman, underneath," Mr. Shaw reportedly said in the interview recorded before his death several years ago.

"'There's a kite down there,' I told the rear-gunner. 'There's a kite gone in.' He said 'Yes, I saw it.' "

Mr. Shaw did not make the connection with Mr. Miller until 1956 when he saw the film The Glenn Miller Story.

But with several unanswered questions remaining, his claims were dismissed at the time as publicity seeking.

However, the paper said new research into Mr. Miller's flight path and time had left little room for doubt.

Mr. Miller and his band became famous for such tunes as Tuxedo Junction, In the Mood, Moonlight Serenade and the million-selling Chattanooga Choo Choo.

[Pylon1357]

In regards to the Glenn Miller Story, I have to wonder.... who will be looking for the aircraft now? Like with many other mysteries, Some group or rich individual will certainly be looking for the plane armed with this information.

I for one would be very happy to know what happened to Major Miller. But then again, I have always held a soft spot for those missing during the war.

[Jim O]

Clark Gable enlisted in the USAAF at the age of 41 (at the time old enough to be exempt from the draft), leaving behind a $30,000/month movie contract (that was some real money in 1942!). He went to OCS. After being commissioned he flew in Europe earning the Air Medal and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Much of his time in service was spent photographing other airmen in action for a movie to recruit airmen for the war effort. He was discharged with the rank of Major.

[Geek44]

A resident of my home town recently wrote a book entitled 'Flak' which was basically the products of dozens of interviews with surviving RAAF personnel who served in WW2. It should be noted too that the authour is a TV and radio personality here. Anyway's, one of the interviewees was a crew member on a RAF Lancaster. His group was called back from a mission after it was cancelled due to bad weather. The load-out for the mission was 'Cookie' bombs...big, bad and loud. The fuses on these bombs were a little unreliable and landing the aircraft while still carrying the ordnance was out of the question. They were ordered to jettison their load over the channel, which they did. The interviewee recalls watching the bombs falling into the sea and some exploded...he also recalls seeing a smaller aircraft below in the bad weather. The next day, they heard that Miller had gone missing.
I guess we'll never know.
Pennsylvania sixty-five thousand.